Propiolactone (β-propiolactone; 2-Oxetanone), a chemosterilant, effectively inactivates viruses, rendering them non-infectious. It has been utilized at a 1:1000 (v:v) ratio alongside SARS-CoV to create the BPL-inactivated influenza virus vaccine (Flu-BPL) [1] [2], additionally serving as a bacteriostatic agent.

Propiolactone (β-propiolactone) is utilized for vaccine purification.

Mice were immunized with inactivated influenza A virus using Propiolactone (β-propiolactone) (~25 mg total protein per dose; intramuscular injection). Post-inactivation with Propiolactone, the SARS was non-lethal to young BALB/c mice. Although the virus replicated in the mice's respiratory tract, it was cleared by day 5. Treatment with Propiolactone yielded 1.5 μg of total hemagglutinin protein, resulting in negative infection outcomes in the mice [1].